triple berry protein shake

i decided to treat my kids to "ice cream" for lunch today and came up w/ this. it turned out really well!

4-6 frozen strawberries
6 fresh raspberries
20 fresh blueberries
1/2 banana
1/4 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 tblsp sugar
1/2 scoop vanilla or plain protein powder (i used vanilla whey powder)

throw it all in a blender, blend till smooth, and enjoy! serves 1.

strawberry pie

1 c sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarck
3 tablespoons strawberry jello mix
2 c fresh strawberries (NOT frozen)
baked pie shell
whipped cream

in a pan, mix sugar, cornstarch, and jello together. slowly add 1 c water and stir to make sure there are no lumps. boil and stir 5 minutes until thick. let cool. add berries. spoon into pie shell. top w/ whipped cream and refrigerate 3 hours before serving.

chocolate ganache

this is a collaboration of recipes i found on allrecipe.com. i think it's awesome, but you can be the judge of that for yourself!

2/3 c heavy cream
1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips (i'm sure any kind will work, this is just what i used)

heat cream over meium-high heat till surface quivers - DO NOT BOIL! pour over chocolate chips and whisk, starting in the center and working your way out. cool to desired consistency - pourable or spreadable - and use to frost cake. cool completely in fridge before serving.

dutch pancakes

these are a variation of crepes that my family loves!

2 c milk
1 1/2 c flour
1-2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 c sugar
touch oil

mix all together and cook on griddle. flip when edges start to look dry. serve w/ sugar, powdered sugar, butter, jam, fruit, or cream for breakfast or a light dessert.

watermelon raspberry ice pops

i found this recipe while i was pregnant w/ scott. it's a great snack or dessert option, and since it uses real fruit, it's better for you than store-bought popcicles (even ones that use fruit juice, since these use the pulp).

2 c watermelon, seeded and diced
1 c fresh raspberries
1/3 c splenda
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon corn syrup

blend and strain thoroughly. pour liquid into 8 popcicle molds and freeze at least 6 hours.

triple chocolate surprise

this is another one i've never made, but i keep meaning to - it sounds awesome! AND it's in the crock pot, which means less work, and that's always a good thing.

1 box chocolate cake mix
8 oz. sour cream
1 package chocolate pudding mix
1 c chocolate chips
3/4 c cooking oil
4 eggs
1 c water

spray crock pot w/ cooking spray. mix all ingredients and pour into crock pot. cover and cook on high 3-4 hours (or on low 6-8 hours). serve warm w/ ice cream and whipped cream.

sacrament brownies

i've never made these, but i've heard they're awesome. i'll let you know when i try them.

2/3 c cocoa
2/3 c shortening, melted
4 eggs
2 c sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 c flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1-1 1/2 c mini marshmallows
1 c chopped nuts (optional)

mix cocoa and shortening together. in a separate bowl, combine eggs, sugar, and vanilla, then add to cocoa mixture. add everything else except the marshmallows and mix well. fold in marshmallows. pour into greased 9x13 inch pan and bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes.

easy peach cobbler

many people call this a "dump cake" or "dumb bunny cake"

24 oz. canned peaches
1 box yellow cake mix
brown sugar
3/4 c water
1 stick butter, cut up

layer in 9x13 inch baking dish: peaches, brown sugar, cake mix, and chunks of butter. pour water over all. bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes (depending on how "done" you like it. i like mine a little soggy.). serve warm w/ vanilla ice cream.

* sub in canned pie filling or other fruits and different flavors of cake mix to find your favorite combo. canned strawberry pie filling w/ chocolate cake mix is really good, as is blueberry pie filing w/ white cake mix. experiment until you find the combo you like best.
* for freezer: freeze before baking. no need to thaw before baking. bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes.

lemon squares

lemon flavored bar cookies? YES PLEASE!

1 c flour
1/2 c butter
1/4 c powdered sugar
1 c sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons lemon peel (optional)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
powdered sugar for garnish

mix butter, flour, and powdered sugar. press into ungreased 8-inch square baking dish. bake at 350 for 20 minutes. while it's baking, beat sugar, eggs, lemon peel, lemon juice, baking powder, and salt until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). pour over baked shell. bake at 350 for an additional 25 minutes (no indentation will remain when touched in the center). cool completely. sprinkle w/ powdered sugar and cut into 1-2 inch squares.

oatmeal cranberry white chocolate chip cookies

2/3 c butter, softened
2/3 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 c oats
1 1/2 c flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 oz. craisins
2/3 c white chocolate chips

mix butter and brown sugar. add eggs. stir in oats, flour, soda, and salt. add craisins and chips last. bake on ungreased sheet at 375 for 10-12 minutes.

* these bake best on a pizza/baking stone.
* high altitude: bake 15 minutes.

oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

this is a recipe one of my college roommates used to make. i've discovered, just as she had, that the dough is just as addicting as the actual cookies are.

1 c shortening
1 c sugar
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 c flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 c oatmeal
chocolate chips

mix shortening and sugars together. add eggs and vanilla. stir in flour, salt, and baking sida. add oatmeal and chocolate chips (as many as you like) last. drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto baking stone and bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. DO NOT cook till they look done or they'll be too hard. let cool 1-2 minutes before removing from stone.

* these are high altitude directions. for regular altitude, bake at 325 for 15 minutes.
* these bake best on a pizza/baking stone, but if you don't have one, bake on an ungreased cookie sheet.

chunky cheesecake brownies

a friend of mine posted this recipe on facebook and when i made them, i couldn't get enough!

8 oz. cream cheese
3/4 c sugar, divided
3 eggs
2 c chocolate chips, divided (i used milk chocolate, but any kind will work)
1/4 c butter
2/3 c flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 t salt

combine cream cheese, 1/4 c sugar, and 1 egg and beat till smooth. stir in 1 c chocolate chips and set aside. melt remaining chocolate chips w/ butter (in microwave or double boiler). stir in remaining sugar and eggs. sift in flour, powder, and salt. pour half of chocolate mixture into greased 9-inch square pan. spread cream cheese mixture over chocolate layer. top w/ remaining chocolate mixture (doesn't have to cover all the cream cheese layer) and swirl w/ a knife. bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or till top is crinkled and edges pull away from sides of pan. cool completely before cutting into 12-16 bars.

* when i made these, i added extra unmelted chocolate chips to the chocolate mixture as well. yum!

cake mix cookies

i got this recipe at one of my bridal showers and was so happy. for some reason, i've always had a hard time finding cake mix cookie recipes that are good. this one is AWESOME!

1 box cake mix
1/4 c flour
1/2 c oil
1/4 c water
1 egg
6 oz. chocolate chips (optional)

mix all ingredients together and drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet. bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes.

blondies

this is an awesome recipe i got from an even more awesome friend. i hope you enjoy it as much as i did!

2 c light brown sugar (you can also use dark brown sugar for a more molasses-y taste - yum!)
2/3 c butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 c flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 12 c chopped nuts (optional)

heat and stir brown sugar and butter over medium heat until smooth. cool slightly, then stir in eggs 1 at a time. add vanilla. mix in flour, powder, and soda. spread in greased 9x13 inch baking dish and sprinkle w/ nuts. bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. cool on wire rack and cut into bars while warm.

* tip from my friend: double the vanilla and add a little salt to enhance the flavor of these already awesome blondies.

microwave cake

ever want some cake w/out having to BAKE it? here's your solution:

1/3 c cake mix
4 tablespoons milk

combine in mug and microwave for 2-3 minutes. top w/ a dallop of frosting, whipped cream, or a scoop of ice cream if desired.

better than sex cake

this is a recipe i got from one of my husband's college roommates, and it is awesome! the name is so true!

1 9x13 inch chocolate cake
1 large packet chocolate pudding, prepared
1 large tub whipped topping
4 heath or score candy bars, crushed
chocolate sauce

crumble half of the cake into a large bowl. layer w/ half each of pudding, whipped topping, and candy bars. repeat, then top w/ chocolate sauce and serve.

applesauce cake

i love this applesauce cake, it's so easy and yummy!

2 c flou
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 c unsweetened applesauce
3/4 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 c raisins (optional)

sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. set aside. beat eggs until light, then add brown sugar. stir in applesauce and vanilla. add flour mixture and beat till smooth. fold in raisins. pour into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 for 1 hour (toothpick inserted in middle will come out clean).

cranberry banana bread

2 c flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 c sugar
1 egg
1/3 c orange juice
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/4 c salad oil
2/3 c mashed bananas (2 medium bananas)
1 1/4 c cranberries or craisins
1 c walnuts, chopped (optional)

sift together dry ingredients. in a separate bowl, combine egg, oj, vinegar, and oil. add to flour mixture. stir in bananas, cranberries, and walnuts last. pour into wax paper-lined loaf pan and bake at 350 for 60-70 minutes (toothpick inserted near center will come out clean). let cool 10-15 minutes before removing from pan.

tropical smoothies

this is something i came up w/ in middle school. my whole family loved them, and i'm sure you will too! (note: measurements are approximate, as i've never actually measured any of this stuff when making this)

1/2 pint fresh strawberries, stemmed
1/2 c fresh blueberries
2 fresh kiwis, peeled and quartered
2 scoops lucerne orange blossom special ice cream (vanilla ice cream/orange sherbet mix is a good substitute)
1/4 c milk
5 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

blend all till smooth. serve immediately w/ a scoop of ice cream as garnish. serves 2.

* tip: add 2 scoops vanilla protein powder for a filling breakfast shake!

pumpkin pie

i made this for thanksgiving and loved it! i'd never made a pumpkin pie before, so i was nervous about how it would turn out. there was no need!

1 pie pumpkin
1 1/3 c sweetened condensed milk
1 egg
1 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1 c hot water
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell

cut pumpkin in half and scoop out seeds. place pumpkin halves flesh-side down on foil and bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hours till tender. let cool, them scoop out flesh and mash (i used a food processor). beat in milk, spices, and water till smooth. pour into pie shell and bake at 375 for 55-65 minutes. the center will still move slightly when it's done. cool completely before serving.